the kids returned with mixed feelings, but most came home with a sense of joy having given the community something altruistic and selfless and from kids no different than the victims of the Sandy Hook elementary shooting.

The ride home was full of reflection, recapping what everyone may have learned along the way.

Javier Osorio, 7, of John Fenwick elementary school in Salem, felt, though there is much evil in the world, it is triumphed through the a presents of good — that is how he felt today.

"Even though the man who killed the kids was bad, there is good in the world too," said Osorio. "I think the good is way more important."

And others felt the trip was especially meaningful because it was kids the same age as the shooting victims that brought the letters to the community.

"I think it was good that we went because the people who died were the same age as us," said 11-year-old Jeremiah Cline, Salem middle school. "I think it's more meaningful than just grown-ups."

And with the streets swarmed with reporters, news vans, television cameras and adults with microphones, the group of kids from Salem County appeared to be a breath of fresh air.

The family the Salem kids ran into on the way home was a testament to that.

"That family that we met — they hadn't left their home since that woman picked up her daughter and nieces at Sandy Hook elementary the day of the shooting," said Roxzanne Forman. "That was powerful. That little girl was crying. I think she was relieved to see people her age and not another news person knocking on her door."

Most of the children were sound asleep from an enormous meal of donated McDonald's and as the trip drew to its final close, B.R. Williams bus driver Larry Alexander, who volunteered almost 15-hours driving the round trip gave his take on the matter.

"Children are not just our future," said Alexander. "They are our paths to our healing through our unconditional love."